Behind the ropes. Thank you. It makes my life easier. Later, House Speaker mike johnson hosted President Biden in the irish Prime Minister at the friends of ireland lunch on capitol hill. Ones. And we talked about how is it as both regulators and payers you live to capitol hill for the annual friends of ireland lunch. President biden, House Speaker mike johnson and pm varadkarvote are attending. Of peacemaking. We ache celebrate the important friendship between our two he United States and ireland. Today we welcome continued efforts to promote and preserve the good friday agreement. Ure for all the friends of ireland. Certainly, at this time, in many ways, our hearts are. Peacemaking and celebrate the important friendship between our two countries the United States and ireland and today we all welcome continued efforts to moat promote and preserve the good friday agreement and the promise of a Bright Future for all the friends of ireland and certainly at this time um in many ways our hearts are heavy in spite of the fun fellowship, because stability is threatened in europe, the middle east, and our allies and friends such as israel and taiwan fight for the right to exist. And i know everyone in this room is committed to the same thing. We know we must stand for National Sovereignty and work for International Peace and this is a time to encourage a productive dialogue can be to respect and even when we may disagree on matters of politics and policy which is inevitable, we should all appreciated traditions like this, an occasion for thoughtful discordance discourse where we can move beyond what yates cold polite but meaningless words, restoring trust among the people and faith in our institutions and all of us know we need that desperately right now. So today i am happy we are able spirit of charity, humor, and friendship that flows through your children and my children and all the children and all the friends of ireland. So i had the distinct pleasure now of introducing our commanderinchief someone who is known everywh most famous irishman, president joe biden. [applause] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2024] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [applause] pres. Biden thank yall very much. Thank you. [applause] mr. Spi was telling the speaker at dinner, was a good friend of mine a former senator from oregon, senator smith, came to me when i was Vice President said, you know, i checked it out and you are able to accept this i said, what is the gift . He said the single most significant compilation of family records held by the mormon church. He said we want to do, we want to do a background for you. We want to check your genealogy for you. They ended up showing up five months laterh volumes. One of them pointed out that one side of the family, the one that came froounty they started off in new orleans, and i warned them, they couldve stayed. Wait a minute . [indiscernible] in trouble. Folks, look, is to speaker folks i want you to know that once wrote everything patricks day, every st. Patricks day every irishman goes out to find another irishman to make a speech to. So [laughter] so thank you for allowing me to find you. It is ok. Look, you know im glad i found all of you because no matter how much we debate, no matter how much we disagree, we have always been able to come together as friends of ireland. And you know, the friendship goes back centuries, but today is an important period, an important milestone, nearly 100 years of diplomatic relations nearly 100 years of ireland and the United States. So mr. Speaker thank you for hosting us today. It is a tradition i have always enjoyed. Thank you for joining us again. I would also like to extend 100,000 welcomes to all the leaders who are involved in the ireland and Northern Ireland agreements that they now put together. And i think, i just wonder whether my mother would have ever thought that wouldve happened, but it has happened, and it isat emigrate to come together once again. To all irish, americans, democrats, republican members amwe begin the next century of a Real Partnership that is increasing now. And finally to all who wish they were irish, im glad you are here too. [laughter] my grandfather used to say that being irish is enough. Anyway, i wont go into that. [laughter] but i stand here as a proud descendant of the finnegans in th the finnegans were from one county and finnegans from another county, and this pride is part of my soul and i and sure all of you who are irish and have irish ancestors feel the same way. In know my colleagues used to kid me when a certain capitol hill because i was always quoting irish poets are they thought i did that because i was irish. I dont do it for that reason because they are the best poets in the world. That is why i quote them. [laughter] it is true. Angina, i and it is true, and today there is one poem in particular that comes to mind written by my great grandfather Edward Francis only the second catholic elected as a state senator in the state of pennsylvania and 1906. In 1996. He wrote a book of 100 poems as what he referred to as his ireland. When he called, the work. Here is what it said, no barriers to thicker strong to stay the onward march eacha goal they seek, a goal they find, hardship for them his but well play. And i thinkand and america they are always marching forward towards a better world, towards a better life and one of greater liberty, greater dignity greater equity, opportunity, and possibilities for everybody possibilities. I jinping a couple of years ago and he asked me could i define america and ts was recorded by him as well, i said in one word. He said, whats that . Possibilities. Thank about it. Yx what defines us as americans . We think anything is possible and we do it together. While together ireland and america have always moved onward for a better future, o liberty, greater dignity, greater equality, opportunity, possibility, and even when those barriers seem so thick and strong, even when we face sorrows, setbacks and divisions in darkness, together we have always persevered, ireland and the United States. We have always held out hope and horizons we have not yet seen. You know, i often say the irish were the only people in the world who are nostalgic about tomorrow. Think about it. [laughter] that is an originaly. But that is who we are. I often s wherever there is a yearning for freedom, where ever there is a call for progress, people around the world they can always count on ireland in the United States to be on their side, not just for help, but to help, help them on their march forward. We see this in our support of ukraine, and the people, in the face of prudence brutal onslaught across ukraine putins brutal onslaught across ukraine. We had a meeting earlier today and i told joes grateful for irelands unwavering aid to the people of the rain and also gaza. I am committed tonue doing our part and am confident the vast majority come excuse me for saying this, the vast majority of members of congress are willing to do their part, and continue to urge every member in this room to stand up to vladimir putin. He is a thug. [applause] thug. [applause] and, urge you to send me the National Security bill that includes funding for ukraine in israel, and humanitarian assistance to need. Its insight clear message that america stands for freedom and bow down to no one, to no one in the world. You know, i said in belfast last year where weve marked the 25th anniversary ofhe belfast good friday agreement i am also committed to protecting peace and progress in Northern Ireland. We all know, we all knowassume all of us feel the same way, that includes norden Northern Irelands newest leaders. You guys here . [applause] stand up. [applause] thank you. [applause] as a friend of mine from delaware said, who would have thunk it. Thank you for reminding us with the possibilitys are as we work across the aisle and rise above longstanding disagreements. Let me close with this, i think we stand at an Inflection Point not only in American History but history where the decisions we make now will determine what the next 3, 4, 5, 6 decades will look like and i believe history is watching, history is watching. Today, let us result of march forward with each other, and to all th future. Like our ancestors remember, no barrier is too thick or too strong for ireland and the there is nothing, nothing our nations cannot do together when we Work Together, and i mean that from the bottom of my heart. I am confident there is not a thing we cant do if we Work Together, and i say the same thing, remember, this is the United States of america. There is nothing nothing nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we Work Together, so my prayer today as we continue our Work Together. Thank you all for having me. [applause] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2024] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [applause] mike thank you for your remarks, mr. President. Our next guest leading a country, the youngest to hold his office, he started out you ery halls two decades ago, and while this is my first time meeting him in person, he is no stranger to this lunch either. He has been in leadership for quite some time and has done a few of these. Will you please join me in honor from the republic of ireland. [applause] pm varadkarvote thank you. President members of congress, first minister, deputy first minister, esteemed friends and colleagues, it is an honor and a privilege to be back among friends here in washington, d. C. Today. I am thankful to the speaker for continuing the tradition of holding this lunch today. We are very appreciative. I believe ireland is the only country in the world that can get away with turning our National Holiday into an International Week of events, or in some places a whole month. We are unique in having a National Holiday where the head of government and all the senior ministers leave the country to celebrate it around the world with our diaspora and our friends, and our allies. St. Patricks day is more than our National Holiday, it is an international moment. It is when we get to share our story with the world, a story of faith in the future matter what the obstacles hope and our ability to Work Together for the greater good, and that Charity Towards those experiencing suffering. As the president acknowledged, since we last gathered here last year, the institutions of the good friday agreement have and it is hugely significant we are joined here today by the first minister in the deputy first minister. The two are from different political traditions who are showing what can be achieved working together, holding jointly a coequal offices had that government of Northern Ireland. It is so good to have you here today. [applause] and it is really good to see colleagues here as well. Um members, ministers of the Northern Ireland assembly, including the speaker, mr. Also to see members of the house of commons and other members too as well, so very much seeing three strands of the agreement and all represented here today which makes this a special moment. And i want to be have fun all of us to think that United States thank the United States and members from both sides of the aisle and indeed beyond polr whp ireland and Northern Ireland, a place where people can dream of coming toms, brighter than the times, brighter than their grandparents. So thank you for year old and giving us back our future. We will forever remember the steadfast work of so many members of congress, democrat and republican, as well as successive administrations over the yeo have made it possible. Throughout the entirety of the Peace Process the friends of arlen caucus have been our president friends, and on behalf of t ireland caucus have been our present friends, and on behalf of thank you for your leadership and support something hemr. Speaker, someday soon, we would like to welcome you to ireland, so consider this an official invitation. We would love to show you around. Bless you we had the pleasure of showing President Biden around the although he knows it so well i dont think he needed a tour guide, but a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with relatives or friends, and make new ones. Mr. Speaker today as we run into st. Patricks day, i am thinking of the prayer of Saint Patrick would you alluded to earlier as we face the most complicated and difficult circumstances in the World Problems that have no easy answers, which demand that we do our best to repel the forces of darkness, to defend our, values and to shield our citizens. Im thinking of st. Patricks prayer today for strength and protection against every cruel and merciless power. When i reflect on the war being waged by russia against ukraine the light of democracy through law and the. Itself are under attack from a relentless adversary who would extinguish them. Ukraine must not fall, and together we need to stand by ukraine for as long as it takes. [applause] i am also thinking of st. Patricks prayer to date when he prayed for the wisdom to guide us when i reflect on the catastrophe unfolding in the middle east, the savage attacks of october 7 in israel, and the terrible violence and loss of human life in gaza which has followed and continues, and we very much want that to end. These are global challenges that demand our courage empathy and action, and we pray for the wisdom of Saint Patrick in facing them. Mr. Speaker, over 100 years ago ireland and the u. S. Established diplomatic relations, the oldest republic welcoming the newest member of the international community, and since then, it is a relationship that has grown on respect, friendship, and shared kinship, so thank you so much for helping us those hundred years to take our place among the nations of the world. We look forward to working with america for the next 100 years a second century of friendship and alliance. Happy st. Patricks day. Thank you very much. [applause] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2024] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [applause] mike thank you so much, and thank you again, mr. President. I am proud to welcome our entertainment for today. Born in dublin and raised in new york city, Gregory Harrington is one of ireland wellknown violinist with a wide range from jazz to crossover. He has released six critically acclaimed and has even opened the st. Patricks day parade on nbc in new york, and that is a big deal. Last year when he gave a performance to a soldout carnegie hall, celebrating the 20th anniversary, becoming the first irish violinist to ever give a full solo debut at that venue. Gregory is joined by juilliard alumnus, Sebastian Stephen and we have the pleasure of welcoming several dancers because you cant have an irish gig without a dancer, right . Joe, kendall, and elise havetoured across the globe with numerous irish dance shows. Joe is the founder and director of the District Irish Dance Academy based here in the nation capital. Please join me in welcoming these great friends of arlington stage now. [applause] [noio] mr. Speaker, thank you so much for that introduction. Mr. President , mr. Er ambassador, distinguished guests in march 2013 i had the invitation to perform for the irishamerican hall of fame. The honor, that they was the then vice President Biden, and me being me i did not just want to play, i wanted to do something unique for him, so i did my research and i found out that his greatgreatgrandfather i think was father was a blind irish fiddler. So i found an incredible irish composer who was also blind from and i did a piece by him but i reimagined and i rearranged. And after the president came over and he was so, so gracious in congratulating me, and we talked about loss and about yates, and about how difficult it is to be on stage and to present. And just as he was departing he leaned in and gave me a wry smile and said greg, if i had your talent, i would be president. [laughter] so apparently, mr. President you have this in abundance. [laughter] so what we would do today is sweet will get to some is get to some incredible irish music but first we want to celebrate irish culture, and how contemporary irish culture is, and we have one of the icons one of the greatest musical exports out of ireland my inner narcissist says that is me, but i digress, a piece from a 1989 album called rattle and come where the band hum whe band explored collaborations with others. This is the classic song, all i want is you come from the littleknown band u2. [applause] thank you. Mr. American history tv, saturday on cspan2, exploring the people and events that tell the amer with this series free to choose, in 1980, this episode is titled how to stay free. At 8 00 p. M. On lectures and history, mary ziegler looks at the history of abortion and contraceptive laws in the United States and at 9 30 p. M. On the presidency, northeast hoover executive with her book are you prepared for the storm of lovemaking letters of love and loss from the white house. Exploring the american story, watch on cspan2, and find a full schedule onnline history. Sunday on q a, rob henderson, author of troubles, talks about growing up in the u. S. Foster care system, the hurdles he overcame to be successful and what he learned about Class Division in america as a result. Was in seven homes shy of five years, and there is this question of why does the system work this way . If a child is in one placement for too long, it can create issues. So if a foster child is with one foster family for six months or a year, they become comfortable and devoted to the family and then suddenly your Family Member returns, so the system has frequently placed a child in different environments such that there is never potential issues with loyalty or devotion or conflict between foster families and birth relatives. I think maybe it sounds nice in the abstract. Often, it produces instability and difficulty. Rob henderson with his book troubled, sunday night at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspans q a. You can listen to q a and all podcasts on our free cspan now app